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The QuickStart Pin Finder - Page 2 — Parallax Forums

The QuickStart Pin Finder

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  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-07-07 16:35
    How did you get the engraving so black? Paint and wipe?

    -Phil
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-07-07 17:15
    That is correct. I've only tried it a couple times so I do not have the method perfected. This time I engraved through the paper, cleaned with alcohol then squeegeed some paint across it. When I peeled the paper off the paint was too heavy so with an alcohol damped paper towel I rubbed off the excess.
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-07-07 17:35
    As I mentioned earlier if the arms were extended back from the open end to past the sealed end then squeezing the extensions would open the jaws allowing easy removal of it.
    Is this a possible modification?
  • W9GFOW9GFO Posts: 4,010
    edited 2012-07-07 17:40
    It certainly is possible but as it is now it is very easy to remove. It grips it just enough to not slide down. If you hold the board upside down and tap it, the clip will fall off.
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2012-07-07 18:25
    Aha! The QS Pin Finder Design has gone viral - how cool is that? :thumb:
    -MattG
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2012-07-07 18:36
    As I mentioned earlier if the arms were extended back from the open end to past the sealed end then squeezing the extensions would open the jaws allowing easy removal of it.
    Is this a possible modification?
    Hey skylight-
    Not a bad thought, but It depends a lot on the material. If this were AC (delrin), then we could make the pivot point crossbar thinner allowing it to flex. Acrylic doesn't like to flex that much (it's very brittle). So Acryilc won't really work like a pair of scissors- it'll just bend/break at the junction on the pincher side of the Pin Finder.

    We'll probably be providing these free, and AC is quite a bit more in cost, so if you wanted to accomplish what you're thinking of you could try it out with the .dxf's.

    -MattG
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-07-07 18:36
    Matt, Find some hamsters that can do hip-hop to promote it and you'll be a star!! ....or better yet, grab some of the goats out back...nothing says QuickStart like a goat!!
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-07-07 19:07
    mindrobots wrote:
    ... better yet, grab some of the goats out back ...

    Wait a minute! Are saying that Parallax hides its older employees in the back? I may have to reevaluate my relationship with Parallax. I had no idea!

    Matt? Can you confirm this?

    -Phil
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-07-07 19:15
    ...hides its older employees in the back?

    -Phil

    Nobody said OLD GOATS! Just GOATS.

    Age is just a state of mind.......or a state of decay!! :lol:
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2012-07-07 21:30
    Parallax hides its older employees in the back?
    Confirmed.
    Sadly...confirmed.

    (anybody seen where I left my walker?)
    -Old Goat
  • LoopyBytelooseLoopyByteloose Posts: 12,537
    edited 2012-07-08 01:12
    Personally, I like the plastic and think it is a real value, but the nature of this hobby is that someone is always going to DIY a sticker version or a cardboard cutout. Some people just love to do everything themselves, others love to save pennies.

    Still, this gadget will inspire people to buy the QuickStart - so what's not to like about it? At times it can be a promotional giveaway, at other times a paid for accessory.
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2012-07-09 09:57
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    I wasn't suggesting putting labels directly on the PCB.

    I was thinking of something like Phil's nice labels for the QuickStart header. My version of a sticker set (made before Phil sent me a set of his nice labels) is on the right which I made using a Brother label maker.

    Apologies Duane, I had not seen Phil's stickers and assumed you meant on the PCB. I should know better than to make assumptions. :innocent:
  • Duane DegnDuane Degn Posts: 10,588
    edited 2012-07-09 10:40
    Apologies Duane, I had not seen Phil's stickers and assumed you meant on the PCB. I should know better than to make assumptions. :innocent:

    Not a problem Chris. We all have to make assumptions all the time, otherwise we'd go crazy. Life would be awful if we couldn't assume the roof over our heads isn't about to come tumbling down.
  • ercoerco Posts: 20,259
    edited 2012-07-09 10:44
    (anybody seen where I left my walker?)

    @Matt: Does this confirm that you are working on a cool new robotic walker instead of another silly diff-drive platform with casters?
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2012-07-09 10:54
    Wait a minute! Are saying that Parallax hides its older employees in the back? I may have to reevaluate my relationship with Parallax. I had no idea!

    Matt? Can you confirm this?

    -Phil

    I can also confirm that Matt G is in the back of the bulding...however, that is the place to be to get away from much distraction. And of course, Parallax takes care of their Old Goats, err, employees. Matt G has a workbench sure to make a few jealous. I know I am a little jealous!
    :innocent:

    Let's have a look at Matt's Main Work Area (click to enlarge photos):
    0001_Matt G Center Bench.jpg
    0002_Matt G Side Bench.jpg
    0003_Matt G Main Bench.jpg

    This kind of freedom, escape from distraction and personal arrangement is the reason Matt G can get so much done around Parallax.
    1024 x 577 - 56K
    1024 x 577 - 83K
    1024 x 577 - 71K
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2012-07-09 10:56
    Duane Degn wrote: »
    Life would be awful if we couldn't assume the roof over our heads isn't about to come tumbling down.

    You mean it's not?!? Ah, what a sigh of relief! Thanks Duane. :smile:
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-07-09 11:32
    Old employees at Parallax?? You all look so young and handsome in your pictures, especially the girls :smile:
  • Chris SavageChris Savage Parallax Engineering Posts: 14,406
    edited 2012-07-11 17:59
    Yesterday when I showed up in the Rocklin office Matt G had a surprise for me. Updated QuickStart Pin Finders with the previously dicussed design changes. Have a look. Got one installed and ready to go!

    New QS Pin Finder.jpg

    (CLICK TO ENLARGE)
    1024 x 577 - 78K
  • mindrobotsmindrobots Posts: 6,506
    edited 2012-07-11 18:24
    100% useful accessory!!

    Well done Matt G (and your staff of design consultants)!
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2012-07-11 19:34
    (and your staff of design consultants -)!
    Iron sharpens Iron buddy! You're exactly right - this was a collective effort :-)
    -MattG

    PS: Everyone in this thread gets free samples!
    Email me @mattg@parallax.com with your handle, name and address...hoo-rah! (Phil obviously is NOT included in the word "everybody", and "Everybody in this Thread" means everybody PRIOR to this post - duh!)
  • Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi)Phil Pilgrim (PhiPi) Posts: 23,514
    edited 2012-07-11 19:47
    Phil obviously is NOT included in the word "everybody"
    LOL! That's okay. Phil, whose feedback apparently has no perceived value, can make his own freaking labels, thank you very much! :)

    (How did I fall so precipitously from grace, Matt? Was it the "goat" reference?)

    -Phil
  • Matt GillilandMatt Gilliland Posts: 1,406
    edited 2012-07-11 22:02
    LOL Phil :tongue:
    Nah...I AM an "old goat" (least that's what my kids say). So from one "old goat" to another, of course you'll get a few.

    ...a very few...

    like, maybe 3...

    or 1...

    or...
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2012-09-04 09:51
    Wow Pub! Thanks for the reminder :-)
    UPS found them, and I got the whole box on my shelf right now. We never did turn it into a product. I thought it would be a good "buy $75 worth of stuff and get a free Inventor's Wand" perk.

    What do you all think? Should we make it available for purchase as well (not you Pub, you'll get a complimentary one for bringing it back to my finite little mind).

    Heck, it's got the resistor color code, drill and tap sizes, and Isaac's 3 laws of robotics emblazened right where you need 'em.

    -MattG

    Hey Matt,

    How's about sending that box back out to MakerFaireNYC? I'll be there to collect one. :)

    Jim
  • skylightskylight Posts: 1,915
    edited 2012-09-05 17:18
    Hi Matt, Is your mailbox full again? I sent a reply to it
  • NWCCTVNWCCTV Posts: 3,629
    edited 2012-09-05 20:36
    How can I get one or two of those Inventor Wands? That is like the ultimate tool that I do not own!!!
  • PublisonPublison Posts: 12,366
    edited 2012-09-14 11:11
    Publison wrote: »
    Hey Matt,

    How's about sending that box back out to MakerFaireNYC? I'll be there to collect one. :)

    Jim

    Did you guys get a booth number yet?
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